The American College of Radiology (ACR) is the oldest and most experienced imaging accreditation body in the nation. The ACR awards accreditation to facilities for the achievement of high practice standards after a peer-review evaluation of the practice. Evaluations are conducted by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. They assess the qualifications of the personnel and the adequacy of the facility equipment. The surveyors report their findings to the ACR’s Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report.

The ACR is a national organization serving more than 32,000 diagnostic-interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, and nuclear medicine and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.

Why should I care if my radiology office is accredited by ACR?

ACR accreditation demonstrates commitment to quality patient care.

ACR accreditation certifies that the staff and equipment have passed the ACR’s rigorous evaluation.

ACR accreditation programs provide a high level of confidence to your referring physician that only the highest quality of care is being provided by accredited facilities.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound uses sound waves that you can’t hear to “see” the internal organs in your body. An ultrasound test does not use x-rays, is completely painless and in most procedures noninvasive. Ultrasound is one of the safest medical tests available today.

The ultrasound test can take from 15 to 60 minutes depending on what area is being studied. The ultrasound technician will assist you onto the examination table. A warm gel will be applied to the skin above the organ(s) to be studied. This gel helps conduct the sound waves from the ultrasound transducer to the skin. The transducer collects sound waves and displays an image on a TV monitor. The only thing you will feel is a slight pressure and the movement of the transducer over the skin. You may be asked to hold your breath or change positions at times.

Once the exam is completed a radiologist will review the images to determine if more pictures are needed. If nothing further is needed you will be released from the imaging center. A radiologist will prepare a report for your physician that will be forwarded to his or her office.

PATIENT PREPARATION

Preparation varies depending on the exam being performed. You may take your prescribed medications with a small amount of water.

Complete Abdomen: Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before the exam. Approximate time of exam is 1/2 hour.

Limited Abdomen: Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before the exam. Approximate time of exam is 1/2 hour.

Obstetrical and Pelvis: A full bladder is necessary. Drink 4-5 eight-ounce glasses of water one hour prior to exam. Do not empty your bladder.

Transvaginal: The exam is done with an empty bladder.

Doppler Exam of the Renal (Kidney) Arteries: Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before the exam. Drinking water is okay. Medications can be taken with small amounts of fluids up until the exam time.

No Preparation Necessary for:

Thyroid

Breast

Renal (kidney w/o Doppler)

Extremities (including Doppler)

Testicle

Diagnostic Radiology Associates (DRA)

DRA complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.